Will you ever expand your thinking?
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day
October 25, 2024
Globular Star Cluster NGC 6752
Some 13,000 light-years away toward the southern constellation Pavo, the globular star cluster NGC 6752 roams the halo of our Milky Way galaxy. Over 10 billion years old, NGC 6752 follows clusters Omega Centauri, 47 Tucanae, and Messier 22 as the fourth brightest globular in planet Earth's night sky. It holds over 100 thousand stars in a sphere about 100 light-years in diameter. Telescopic explorations of NGC 6752 have found that a remarkable fraction of the stars near the cluster's core, are multiple star systems. They also reveal the presence of blue straggle stars, stars which appear to be too young and massive to exist in a cluster whose stars are all expected to be at least twice as old as the Sun. The blue stragglers are thought to be formed by star mergers and collisions in the dense stellar environment at the cluster's core. This sharp color composite also features the cluster's ancient red giant stars in yellowish hues. (Note: The bright, spiky blue star about 8 o'clock from the cluster center is a foreground star along the line-of-sight to NGC 6752)
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Sinister Solar System
October 24, 2024
Our universe is full of mysterious sights.
Explore some of our most frightful finds from past Halloweens.
Top 10 Sinister Solar System Facts
01
NASA Posters Feature Cosmic Frights for Halloween
Explore NASA's Galaxy of Horrors posters. Presented in the style of vintage horror movie advertisements, the new posters feature a "dead" galaxy, an explosive gamma ray burst caused by colliding stellar corpses, and ever-elusive dark matter.
02
Hubble Celebrates Halloween With a Glowering, Dying Star
A hypnotizing vortex? A peek into a witch's cauldron? A giant space-spider web? Nope, it's a Hubble image of the red giant star CW Leonis. The image comes just in time for celebrating Halloween with creepy celestial sights.
03
A ‘Monster' Star-Forming Region Spied by NASA's Spitzer
Do you see a monster in this picture? Do the bright spots near the top of the image look like the piercing eyes and elongated snout of Godzilla?
04
That Halloween When a Dead Comet Flew by Earth
A large space rock zipped past Earth on Halloween in 2015. It most likely was a dead comet and, fittingly, it had an eerie resemblance to a skull.
05
Hellish 'Evil Twin' Venus Broils and Crushes Spacecraft
It's a cloud-swaddled planet named for a love goddess, and often called Earth’s twin. But pull up a bit closer, and Venus turns hellish.
06
Lucy Spacecraft is Named for a Skeleton
Around Halloween 2021, NASA launched the Lucy mission on a journey to a part of our solar system that has swarms of mysterious Trojan asteroids. And the spacecraft is actually named for a skeleton! Lucy is named for a fossilized skeleton of a human ancestor, which was named for the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."
07
NASA X-ray Telescopes Reveal the “Bones” of a Ghostly Cosmic Hand
In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays and used them to image the bones in his wife’s hand, kicking off a revolutionary diagnostic tool for medicine. Now two of NASA’s X-ray space telescopes have combined their imaging powers to unveil the magnetic field “bones” of a remarkable hand-shaped structure in space. Together, these telescopes reveal the behavior of a dead collapsed star that lives on through plumes of particles of energized matter and antimatter.
08
Mystery Visitor to Our Solar System is a Strange, Tumbling Object
In November 2017, scientists pointed NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope toward the object known as 'Oumuamua - the first known interstellar object to visit our solar system. The infrared Spitzer was one of many telescopes to study 'Oumuamua in the weeks after its discovery that October.
09
Strange, Alien Face on Mars
NASA's Viking 1 Orbiter spacecraft photographed this region of Mars on July 25, 1976, while searching for a landing site for the Viking 2 Lander. Due to processing errors, the photo became famous because it resembles a human (or maybe alien?) face.
010
'Sideways' Planet Uranus Likely Got Whacked
Uranus is the only planet whose equator is nearly at a right angle to its orbit, with a tilt of 97.77 degrees – possibly the result of a collision with an Earth-sized object long ago.
https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/sinister-solar-system/
Sols 4341-4342: A Bumpy Road
Oct 24, 2024
After Curiosity’s busy weekend, the team is ready for another day of planning.
We are able to take advantage of the Earth-Mars time offset to full plan on both sols of our plan today.
For this plan, I served as Mobility Rover Planner, and planned Curiosity’s drive.
The first sol begins with some remote science. In this block, there is a ChemCam LIBS and Mastcam joint observation of “Ewe Lake,” to look for variation across the different layers in the rock.
There is also a ChemCam RMI and a Mastcam of the “Olmstead Point” target, to see if there are chemical differences that make it darker than the surrounding rocks.
Mastcam also is taking a stereo image of “Depressed Lake” (in order to see if this loose block belongs to the Stimson or the Sulfate units) and an image of the ChemCam AEGIS target the rover automatically found after the last drive.
After a nap, Curiosity wakes up to do some contact science on the “Chuck Pass” target, which is a piece of bedrock with laminations and nodules.
We perform DRT brushing, MAHLI, and APXS observations of this rock before stowing the arm so we can be ready to drive on the second sol.
In the late afternoon, to take advantage of the lighting conditions, we have another short set of Mastcam imaging — an atmospheric sky column observation and a stereo mosaic of “Fascination Turret” from this new angle.
The second sol also kicks off with some remote sensing. We follow up the contact science with ChemCam LIBS and Mastcam of Chuck Pass.
ChemCam also takes an RMI looking east back to the area of the white sulfur stones below “Whitebark Pass” to get yet another viewing angle.
There is also some atmospheric imaging, Navcam deck monitoring (to see how the dust is moving around on the rover’s deck) and a large dust devil survey.
After the imaging, we are ready to drive. This terrain has been very tricky.
While the slopes are not steep, this is a very rocky area, as you can see in the image, making finding a safe path difficult.
We don’t only need to worry about driving over things that are too big or too sharp, but we also have to make sure not to scrape the wheels along the side of a rock or steer them into a rock, making them wedge and stall.
It also means that we do not have good stereo data out very far because the rocks block our view.
The last complication is that we have to drive backwards — otherwise, the rover hardware will block Curiosity's view of Earth during the time we want to send her the new plan.
When we drive backwards, the rover hardware will block Curiosity’s view, so we need to turn to get a clear view in our images.
We also take additional frames to be sure we can find the best path for the next drive. With all this, we ended up being able to drive about 32 meters today (about 105 feet).
After a short diversion to get around a steering hazard, we were able to drive a fairly straight route along the path to our next major imaging stop.
After the drive, we have our normal post-drive imaging, including a twilight MARDI image.
We have been lucky so far on this terrain and been able to successfully complete our recent drives. Hopefully this drive will also be successful!
https://science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-4341-4342-a-bumpy-road/
An Orange Blue Moon
Oct 24, 2024
Clouds curling around the full “blue” moon gives the night sky an eerie feel in this image from Aug. 19, 2024.
As seen here, a blue moon is not actually blue; the third full moon in a season with four full Moons is called a “blue” moon.
Another moon will be visible in the sky the morning of Oct. 25: Jupiter’s icy moon Europa, the destination of NASA’s recently launched Europa Clipper, will be easily observable with binoculars on one side of Jupiter by itself.
https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/an-orange-blue-moon/
New Report Shows NASA’s $75.6 Billion Boost to US Economy
Oct 24, 2024
NASA’s work, including its Moon to Mars exploration approach, is advancing science and technology for the Artemis Generation, while also driving significant economic growth across the United States, the agency announced Thursday.
In its third agencywide economic impact report, NASA highlighted how its Moon to Mars activities, climate change research and technology development, and other projects generated more than $75.6 billion in economic output across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in fiscal year 2023.
“To invest in NASA is to invest in American workers, American innovation, the American economy, and American economic competitiveness,” says NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“Our work doesn’t just expand our understanding of the universe — it fuels economic growth, inspires future generations, and improves our quality of life.
As we embark on the next great chapter of exploration, we are proud to help power economic strength, job creation, scientific progress, and American leadership on Earth, in the skies, and in the stars.”
Combined, NASA’s missions supported 304,803 jobs nationwide, and generated an estimated $9.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes throughout the United States.
The study found NASA’s Moon to Mars activities generated more than $23.8 billion in total economic output and supported an estimated 96,479 jobs nationwide.
For investments in climate research and technology, the agency’s activities generated more than $7.9 billion in total economic output and supported an estimated 32,900 jobs in the U.S.
Additional key findings of the study include:
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Every state in the country benefits economically through NASA activities. Forty-five states have an economic impact of more than $10 million. Of those 45 states, eight have an economic impact of $1 billion or more.
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The agency’s Moon to Mars initiative, which includes the Artemis missions, generated nearly $2.9 billion in tax revenue. These activities provided about 32% of NASA’s economic impact.
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The agency’s investments in climate change research and technology generated more than $1 billion in tax revenue.
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Approximately 11% of NASA’s economic impacts are attributable to its investments in climate change research and technology.
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NASA had more than 644 active international agreements for various scientific research and technology development activities in the 2023 fiscal year. The International Space Station, representing 15 countries and five space agencies, has a predominant role in the agency’s international partnerships.
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In fiscal year 2023, NASA oversaw 2,628 active domestic and international non-procurement partnership agreements, which included 629 new domestic and 109 new international agreements, active partnerships with 587 different non-federal partners across the U.S., and partnerships in 47 of 50 states.
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NASA Spinoffs, which are public products and processes that are developed with NASA technology, funding, or expertise, provide a benefit to American lives beyond dollars and jobs. As of result of NASA missions, our fiscal year 2023 tech transfer activities produced 1,564 new technology reports, 40 new patent applications, 69 patents issued, and established 5,277 software usage agreements.
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Scientific research and development, which fuels advancements in science and technology that can help improve daily life on Earth and for humanity, is the largest single-sector benefitting from NASA’s work, accounting for 19% of NASA’s total economic impact.
The study was conducted by the Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/new-report-shows-nasas-75-6-billion-boost-to-us-economy/
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/final-fy23-nasa-ecomomic-impact-report.pdf
https://www.nasa.gov/fy-2023-economic-impact-report/
Human Adaptation to Spaceflight: The Role of Food and Nutrition
Oct 23, 2024
The latest book marks our third effort to review available literature regarding the role of nutrition in astronaut health.
In 2009, we reviewed the existing knowledge and history of human nutrition for spaceflight, with a key goal of identifying additional data that would be required before NASA could confidently reduce the risk of an inadequate food system or inadequate nutrition to as low as possible in support of human expeditions to the Moon or Mars.
We used a nutrient-by-nutrient approach to address this effort, and we included a brief description of the space food systems during historical space programs.
In 2014, we published a second volume of the book, which was not so much a second edition, but rather a view of space nutrition from a different perspective.
This volume updated research that had been published in the intervening 6 years and addressed space nutrition with a more physiological systems-based approach.
The current version is an expanded, updated version of that second book, providing both a systems approach overall, but also including details of nutrients and their roles within each system.
As such, this book is divided into chapters based on physiological systems (e.g., bone, muscle, ocular); highlighted in each chapter are the nutrients associated with that particular system.
We provide updated information on space food systems and constraints of the same, and provide dietary intake data from International Space Station (ISS) astronauts.
We present data from ground-based analog studies, designed to mimic one or more conditions similar to those produced by spaceflight.
Head-down tilt bed rest is a common analog of the general (and specifically musculoskeletal) disuse of spaceflight.
Nutrition research from Antarctica relies on the associated confinement and isolation, in addition to the lack of sunlight exposure during the winter months.
Undersea habitats help expand our understanding of nutritional changes in a confined space with a hyperbaric atmosphere.
We also review spaceflight research, including data from now “historical” flights on the Space Shuttle, data from the Russian space station Mir, and earlier space programs such as Apollo and Skylab.
The ISS, now more than 20 years old, has provided (and continues to provide) a wealth of nutrition findings from extended-duration spaceflights of 4 to 12 months.
We review findings from this platform as well, providing a comprehensive review of what is known regarding the role of human nutrition in keeping astronauts healthy.
With this latest book, we hope we have accurately captured the current state of the field of space food and nutrition, and that we have provided some guideposts for work that remains to be done to enable safe and successful human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/esdmd/hhp/human-adaptation-to-spaceflight-the-role-of-food-and-nutrition/
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/nutritional-biochemistry-of-space-flight.pdf?emrc=671b9a85db6d3
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/human-adaptation-to-spaceflight-the-role-of-nutrition.pdf?emrc=6a1624
https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/human-adaptation-2021-final-b.pdf?emrc=671b9a85dab6e
NASA Invites Media to 2024 von Braun Space Exploration Symposium
Oct 23, 2024
Media are invited to attend the 2024 von Braun Space Exploration Symposium Monday Oct. 28 to Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Organized by the American Astronautical Society in collaboration with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, the annual symposium gathers leaders from across government, industry, policy, and academia to discuss the current landscape of space exploration and chart a path forward amid the challenges that lie ahead.
The theme of this year’s event is “Expanding Exploration: From Vision to Reality,” focusing on NASA’s and Marshall’s plans for the future and the broader discourse about exploration and discovery, technology, the workforce, and other elements of the space ecosystem.
Media members interested should register with the astronautical society as a media representative under these guidelines for in-person or online attendance.
Marshall Center Director Joseph Pelfrey will deliver opening remarks on Oct. 28, followed by panels on Artemis, artificial intelligence, and workforce development.
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails will deliver a keynote address to close out the first day.
Panels on, Oct. 29, will focus on space nuclear propulsion, science, and lunar logistics and mobility.
Col. Eric Zarybnisky, Office of Space Launch director at the National Reconnaissance Office, will provide the luncheon keynote.
The third and final day of the symposium Oct. 30, will include discussions on nuclear propulsion, space technology, and human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free and Wayne Hale, who retired in 2010 as the deputy associate administrator of strategic partnerships at NASA Headquarters in Washington, will lead a discussion and present awards at the closing luncheon.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-invites-media-to-2024-von-braun-space-exploration-symposium/
ICYMI
NASA Welcomes Republic of Cyprus as 46th Artemis Accords Signatory
Oct 23, 2024
NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free welcomed the Republic of Cyprus as the latest nation to commit to the responsible use of space for humanity on Wednesday, marking 46 signatories to date.
“We applaud Cyprus’ commitment to the Artemis Accords, which will enhance the country’s engagement with NASA and the international community,” said Free, who participated virtually.
“By joining 45 other country signatories in this effort, Cyprus will help play a role in implementing the accords and exploration that is open, responsible, transparent, and peaceful for the benefit of all.”
Nicodemos Damianou, Cyprus’ deputy minister of research, innovation, and digital policy, signed the Artemis Accords during a ceremony in Nicosia, Cyprus. James O’Brien, assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs for the U.S. Department of State, also attended the event.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Cyprus as we officially sign the Artemis Accords,” said Damianou.
“As we embark on this exciting journey, we reaffirm our commitment to a safe and responsible space exploration, as well as our strong belief in the importance of international cooperation in ensuring space is utilized to the benefit of all humanity.
Cyprus, an European Union member state, is capitalizing on its geostrategic location between three continents, and aspires to play an integral role in the international space community.”
The signing with Cyprus comes on the heels of an Artemis Accords meeting in Milan earlier this month with dozens of signatory countries, including the United States.
In 2020, NASA, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State and seven other initial signatory nations, established the Artemis Accords, which identified an early set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity.
The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.
The commitments of the Artemis Accords and efforts by the signatories to advance implementation of these principles support the safe and sustainable exploration of space.
More countries are expected to sign in the coming days and weeks ahead.
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-welcomes-republic-of-cyprus-as-46th-artemis-accords-signatory/